The text describes the classical period as being based on three general concepts: humanism, rationalism, and idealism. Nothing in excess. In other words, restraint and control. These concepts remind me of the classical period in music. Different time period but same concept. For example, listen to this Mozart sonata and see if it doesn't fit the above description:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv2oM5DE1Mk

and compare with The Spear Bearer.

The Hellenistic period on the other hand sought "the individual and the specific." The text, speaking of the Pergamon Frieze says the figures "not only fill the sculptural space, they break out of their architectual boundaries and invade the spectator's space." This parallels the idealism of the romantic period in music exactly. There is much much more passion and emotion, a liberation of the individual spirit. Listen to Chopin's Winter Wind Etude and see what I mean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf4_kZHLeuo

and compare with Nike of Samothrace.

I have a great admiration for the artists of the classical period of Greek art but something more gutteral draws me to the Hellenistic period. I feel the same way about classical music and romantic music. It seems to be a pattern that culture follows; control and restraint to passion and individualism and then...I believe music peaked in the romantic era.

Aegean

The text said there were five death masks found in the royal graves at the Mycenae citadel. I found these four online and a website with great pictures of artifacts: http://www.ancient-greece.org/images/museums/athens-mycenaean/pages/athens-mus-mycenaean001.html

I've read the Iliad and the Odyssey as I'm sure most have had to or will have to. But I read them on my own and actually enjoyed them. I know, that's weird. I've also read the Aeschylus trilogy so I was fascinated by the "Mask of Agamemnon" even though it clearly isn't the mask of Agamemnon. But I'm interested in the allegations that Schliemann altered the mask. I'd like to know if that has been proved or disproved.

Another thing that I found interesting is that Troy was found in modern day Turkey. According to the Roman poet Virgil, Rome was essentially founded by the Trojans who fled Troy after the Greeks gained entry into the city through the Trojan horse and were victorious over the suprised Trojans. The leader of the Trojans who fled was Aeneas and the epic poem that Virgil wrote is called the Aeneid. These epic poems by Homer and Virgil and others are always part fiction part non-fiction but if Troy is a real city and the war with Greece actually took place, could it be that the Romans are decended from the Turks? Or did the modern day Turks come after the Trojans left and did Troy become a Greek settlement? It is interesting to trace the lineage of cultures and I suppose something is lost in the blending of cultures but looking to the future I think blending cultures will ultimately be a good thing and new art and hopefully more tolerance of each other will come out of it.